Difa Pereira
AHMEDNAGAR, NOVEMBER 24, 2009: The Nashik Diocesan and Salesian Altar Servers Rally was celebrated on November 22, 2009, at St. Anne’s Church, Ahmednagar. The rally was organized under the leadership of Fr. Anton and the cooperation of the Salesian Co-operators of the parish. It was first event on the list of activities of the Salesian Cooperators, which is just formed in the parish. The rally was a success with around 250 altar servers from around 14 parishes.
AHMEDNAGAR, NOVEMBER 24, 2009: The Nashik Diocesan and Salesian Altar Servers Rally was celebrated on November 22, 2009, at St. Anne’s Church, Ahmednagar. The rally was organized under the leadership of Fr. Anton and the cooperation of the Salesian Co-operators of the parish. It was first event on the list of activities of the Salesian Cooperators, which is just formed in the parish. The rally was a success with around 250 altar servers from around 14 parishes.
The rally began at 08.00am with a warm welcome at the registration table and then a sumptuous breakfast. It started at 10.00 am with a grand procession followed by mass. The main celebrant was Fr. Ivo Coelho, together with Fr. Ajoy Vice-Provincial of the Mumbai Province and Fr. Ravi Tribhuvan the Vicar General of Nashik Diocese. Fr. Ivo in his homily said, “You are servers of Christ”. After being nourished with the heavenly bread and words of wisdom, we headed for the inaugural ceremony. The inauguration began with lighting the lamp by Fr. Ajoy, Fr. Ivo Coelho and Mr. Gulab Kharat (Deputy Collector of Ahmednagar) who inaugurated the rally by lofting pigeons amidst the altar server’s colourful gas balloons into the air. After which there was a prize distribution of cake raffle which was organized to raise funds for the rally. The Deputy Collector, then spoke a few encouraging words and congratulated Fr. Anton and the team for organizing the rally.
The altar servers were then divided into 15 Biblical teams and were seated in the Church. Fr. Michael Bansode(Vocation Promoter of Madhya Maharashtra region) addressed the altar servers stressing the need to listen to the inner call and follow one’s vocation in life. After which there was an informative and lively session of Bro. Rixon on the different mass articles using a power point presentation. Post lunch an interesting pilgrimage game was played. It was followed by more creative games organized by Bro. Rixon. the long awaited Gospel Quiz then followed. There was a healthy competition between the parishes– St. Anne’s Cathedral, Nashik and St. Xavier’s Church, Rahata shared the first place.
After which Bro. Briston had a quick input on the planning and execution of the Altar servers’ groups. The winners of the day were given the prizes. Fr. Ajoy Fernandes gave an inspiring talk stressing that the Altar servers should go and serve the Lord and thus be collaborators of the parish either by being priests or nuns or by being good parishioners.
It was a blissful day spent with children and memorable success for all the Salesian co-operators on their first mega event.